Joshua 5

5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which
were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the
Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up
the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were
passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them
any more, because of the children of Israel.5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives,
and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of
Israel at the hill of the foreskins.5:4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people
that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died
in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the
people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth
out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised.5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness,
till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt,
were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto
whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the
LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that
floweth with milk and honey.5:7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua
circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not
circumcised them by the way.5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the
people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were
whole.5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the
reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is
called Gilgal unto this day.5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the
passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of
Jericho.5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after
the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the
old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any
more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted
up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against
him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and
said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 5:14 And he
said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And
Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto
him, What saith my Lord unto his servant? 5:15 And the captain of the
LORD's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for
the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

1-9 How dreadful is their case, who see the wrath of God
advancing towards them, without being able to turn it aside, or
escape it! Such will be the horrible situation of the wicked;
nor can words express the anguish of their feelings, or the
greatness of their terror. Oh that they would now take warning,
and before it be too late, flee for Refuge to lay Hold upon thatHope set before them in the Gospel! God impressed these fears On
the Canaanites, and dispirited them. This gave a short Rest to
the Israelites, and Circumcision rolled away the reproach ofEgypt. They were hereby owned to be the free-born children ofGod, having the Seal of the Covenant. When God glorifies himself
in perfecting the Salvation of his people, he not only silences
all enemies, but rolls back their reproaches upon themselves.

10-12 A solemn Passover was kept, at the time appointed By theLaw, in the plains of Jericho, in defiance of the Canaanites
round about them. It was a performance of the promise, that when
they went up to keep the feasts, their land should be under the
special protection of the Divine Providence, Ex 34:24. Notice
is taken of the ceasing of the Manna as soon as they had eaten
the old Corn of the land. For as it came just when they needed,So it continued as long as they needed it. This teaches us not
to expect supplies By miracles, when they may be had in a common
way. The Word and ordinances of God are spiritual Manna, with
which God nourishes his people in this Wilderness. Though often
forfeited, yet they are continued while we are here; but when we
come to the heavenly Canaan, this Manna will cease, for we shallNo longer need it.

13-15 We read not of any appearance of God's Glory to Joshua
till now. There appeared to him one as a Man to be noticed. ThisMan was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine
honours: he received them, which a created Angel would not have
done, and he is called Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he
appeared as a traveller; to Joshua as a Man of War. Christ will
be to his people what their Faith needs. Christ had his Sword
drawn, which encouraged Joshua to carry On the War with vigour.Christ's Sword drawn in his Hand, denotes how ready he is for
the defence and Salvation of his people. His Sword turns every
way. Joshua will know whether he is a friend or a foe. The cause
between the Israelites and Canaanites, between Christ andBeelzebub, will not admit of any Man's refusing to take one part
or the other, as he may do in worldly contests. Joshua's inquiry
shows an Earnest desire to know the will of Christ, and a
cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians
must fight under Christ's Banner, and they will conquer By his
presence and assistance.